12 Tax-Forfeited Land parcels to be sold in Clearwater County

 

The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on  May 9, 2017.

Land Commissioner Bruce Cox brought a list of twelve 2016 Tax-Forfeited Land parcels for non-payment of taxes. A resolution was passed by the Board of Commissioners to certify all parcels have been viewed and comply with Minnesota State Statutes.  Mr. Cox will send the list to the DNR, then to the townships for their approval to sell the lands.

Authorization was given by the Board members for employee overtime for the Land Department and Campground during the field season when needed, to administer reforestation, site preparation, spraying, road work and operation of the campground outside of normal working hours. 

Mr. Cox said the new water heaters are good, and the problem is solved. 

Land Sale: Commissioner Arlen Syverson began a discussion by asking if the DNR is attempting to buy land from the County. 

Commissioner Dan Stensing said, “They would like to buy land, but not 'from' the county.”

“Sometimes they do a Land Exchange,” added Commissioner Dean Newland. “Fish and Wildlife Department buys easements, and that is a Federal program. The easement follows the land.” 

Commissioner Neal Illies also added that future owners are the ones who pay for it.

County Engineer, Dan Sauvé received Board approval for payment of the Clearwater County Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $16,735. 

The Commissioners approved the hiring of Zachary McLellan as an Engineering Technician II at a starting salary of $22.00 per hour. 

The Assistant County Engineer position was approved to be non-exempt effective May 21, 2017. A change to the Personnel Policy was approved that any non-exempt employees will now have the choice of taking cash or comp time effective May 21, 2017, unless it is above 80 hours, then it must be cash over time. This change will be added to the policies.

“It should be up to the employee whether they take cash or comp time,” said Engineer Sauve. 

Commissioner John Nelson said that for insurance purposes employees can use their comp time. 

County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson said that the pipeline tax issue seemed to have gone dead, and that the Department of Revenue said they would “work with the Counties.” 

Mr. Paulson said that the County will be in the black for the remainder of the year. The  budget process will be starting again in July.

The Auditor-Treasurer was given authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $121,118 for the County Revenue Fund and $12,397 for the Nursing Service Fund. 

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.